SMB

Storage

Scale Computing brings two midmarket hyper-converged appliances to market

July 18, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Scale Computing brings two midmarket hyper-converged appliances to market
The new offerings are more powerful than the appliances Scale has offered before, but they aren’t looking to move upmarket, just satisfy the demand of storage-hungry SMBs and midmarket customers.

Distribution

Cisco Meraki finally comes to D&H Canada

July 11, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Cisco Meraki finally comes to D&H Canada
There has been a six month lag between D&H signing on Cisco Meraki in the U.S. and its availability in Canada, but the company thinks their partners – many of whom haven’t been selling cloud at all – will find it worth the wait.

Channel Programs

Dell EMC distribution-only strategy for X-Series unlikely to portent broader trend

June 26, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Dell EMC distribution-only strategy for X-Series unlikely to portent broader trend
Dell EMC recently made their X-Series network switch products their first distribution-only product, but while they will look at doing this with other products and services, don’t expect it to start a trend.

Backup

BackupAssist introduces MSP program into North America

June 26, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on BackupAssist introduces MSP program into North America
The BackupAssist-as-a-Service program for MSPs makes the Australian-headquartered company a much more forceful player in the North American MSP market.

Backup

Virtual data protection vendor Altaro launches MSP program

June 13, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Virtual data protection vendor Altaro launches MSP program
Altaro, which is focused largely on Hyper-V and the SMB market, has launched both a new MSP program and a free multi-tenanted console to manage it.

Servers

HPE strengthens small business servers with ClearCenter partnership, reborn MicroServer

June 5, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on HPE strengthens small business servers with ClearCenter partnership, reborn MicroServer
The exclusive deal with ClearCenter provides a Linux platform that provides server, networking and gateway functionality, and combined with the HPE ProLiant MicroServer, provides a low-cost offering for small businesses and SOHOs.

Backup

Commvault aims to extend market reach with new VM Backup and Recovery trial software

May 23, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Commvault aims to extend market reach with new VM Backup and Recovery trial software
The new version of the software designed for VM environments upgrades the interface, improves DR capability and makes it easier to migrate VM workloads to the cloud.

Distribution

D&H Canada focuses on western Canada in 2017 initiatives

May 23, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on D&H Canada focuses on western Canada in 2017 initiatives
D&H is opening a new distribution centre in western Canada in a few weeks, and is also adding staff based in the region, and establishing a western Canada event.

Cloud

Flexxible IT launches new SMB-focused hybrid cloud virtual workspace appliance

May 23, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Flexxible IT launches new SMB-focused hybrid cloud virtual workspace appliance
UK-based Flexxible IT has been focused on Europe, but has opened a US office with ex-Appsense channel chief Jim Airdo running the North American business.

Backup

Australia’s BackupAssist formally launches in North American market

May 22, 2017 Mark Cox Comments Off on Australia’s BackupAssist formally launches in North American market
BackupAssist has timed a new channel initiative in North America with Version 10 of its software, which adds several enterprise grade features to its SMB-focused solution.